Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These simple and light-weight stoves burn wood and hexamine tablets as well as gas canisters and white fuel through a single nozzle. They're popular in colder weather, but they're loud and don't have simmer control.

Some multi-fuel stoves can burn various types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with white and isobutane fuel containers.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used to cook a variety of liquid fuels. It has a quick priming burner, a self-purging aluminium pump and precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and wide spreading legs make it a solid stove that can be used on rocky ground. This makes it a great stove for group base camps kayaking, arctic camp.

The Optimus Nova is different from other liquid fuel stoves which have issues with unburned fuel lingering in the fuel line or nozzle. This can be resolved by flipping the bottle. This removes the intake hose from the fuel, forcing it to draw air into the stove, that extinguishes the flame. It also depressurizes the bottle.

This is an ingenious solution for an age-old issue and it's a good one. The Nova can also be used with a variety of regular fuel bottles that seal with an o-ring, including MSR bottles. It also comes with a fully featured stove bag that has separate pockets for spare parts, tools and lubricant, as well as the fuel pump.

This is an excellent backpacking stove that can be used in the UK. It is especially suitable for trips where many fuel types are required. Its cost is affordable when compared to canister stoves that have similar capabilities. Moreover, the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and a pleasure to use.

Kovea Hydra

Since 2010 since 2010, the Kovea Multi Fuel Stove has been a favorite among backpackers. The Hydra is not as popular with UK backpackers any more possibly because they've caught up to better-known brands or the most recent lightweight options from China or cheap multi Fuel stoves Korea. However, that doesn't make it any less useful.

It's a compact and light stove, burning all liquid fuels including white gas as well as propane butane through only one nozzle. It has a fairly typical stove design, with an ignition bell that is bolted onto the body, which is then anchored by three support legs that fold out. The pump is above the fuel line, the generator loop is wrapped around the inlet, and the flame spreader is situated over. The burner itself is a low velocity flame, which helps it to be less affected by wind.

It is a very versatile little cooker because it can be used with either isobutane canisters or propane canisters. It's simple to simmer with propane or isobutane and burns all types of fuel at a decent level but is a little slower than other stoves when you use white gas.

The instructions for the Hydra are written in English, but they were clearly not written by native users of the language. The instructions caution against the use of certain kinds of lighter fluid that if used in a manner that is not what is intended could result in an accident that could land Kovea in a lot of legal hot water. But that any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas container from a reputable manufacturer should work just fine.

Primus OmniLite Ti

The Primus Omnilite Ti is a excellent choice for those looking for an all-fuel stove that can cook using a variety of fuels. It can be used with petrol/gasoline, gasoline or diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each fuel type and also allows to alter the size of the flame, which is a nice feature. This stove also has a fuel line that sits flat on the ground and can be easily connected to the tank.

While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it requires maintenance to ensure it is operating properly. It can be dangerous because it gets flaming when you are priming. This issue is common to all stoves that use liquid fuel, which use a secondary spindle at the stove's end instead of a coil to vaporize the fuel.

Another issue is the fact that it requires different jets for each type of fuel. This means that if you cook on kerosene, the jet hole needs to be smaller than when cooking on gas. This is a minor issue however it's important to mention.

MSR Whisper Light

The MSR Whisper Lite stove is one of the lightest, smallest and most affordable multi-fuel stoves. It is also simple to repair in the field. It can be used with either canister or liquid fuel and includes attachments for both. The new design is lighter by 10% over its predecessor and the burner system has been redesigned to improve heat distribution. It's ideal for novices or backpackers with a budget.

It takes a bit of time to install, prime and boil water, but the whistler Lite is a reliable camp stove that will not disappoint you. The flame is very powerful when cranked all the way up and can boil one liter of water in two minutes or less. The only drawback is it's not as good for simmering as some other stoves.

MSR developed the Dragonfly to be a better burner. It's a similar design to the whistler, but it's more compact and offers more performance. It's not as cheap as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is a great alternative, offering a similar setup for half the price. Whisperlite International and Universal can be used with isobutane. The same fundamental design is used for both but the Universal version can also be run with canister fuel as well.

Coleman Sportster II

Like many Coleman stoves, this one is a basic, rough and ready unit that will get the job done. It's strong, compact and self-contained with the tank on the bottom and burner up the top. This makes it simple to use and an excellent option for those who are new to backpacking, who want to save on weight, and for those who prefer to have one or two spares in the van.

This stove is designed to burn Coleman's exclusive fuel (naptha which is also referred to as "white gas") but it can be used with non-leaded gas too. A gallon of gasoline can last for as longer as a standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder, so you'll save money on fuel with this alternative.

It takes some practice to achieve a perfect blue flame on a liquid fuel stove. You'll need to pressurize the stove and Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves prime them correctly before you can do so. If you're not careful, fuel can pool, spray outside the burner, or sputter. Practice outside before taking it on your next trip to learn how to do it.

The stove will suffer some performance and flame odor effectiveness if you use non-Coleman fuels. However, this is a tradeoff in its versatility. Just be sure you're buying unleaded gasoline and not something that is enriched with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). These types of fuel can cause the unit's performance to decline and even explode.

ATG Jiko

The ATG Jiko multi fuel stoves uk fuel stove made in South Africa (formerly known as the jiko) is an ultralight multifuel stove specifically made for harsh environments like Africa. It's a compact, robust stove that burns solid fuel tabs, gels and alcohol using a single nozzle. It is a minimalist, ultralight design that costs less than other multifuel stoves. The fuel is also less expensive per liter compared to gas canisters.

Other multifuel stoves feature a separate nozzle for each fuel type. This makes them difficult to change in cold weather or using gloves and can add to their weight. Multifuel stoves that are of the current kind utilize a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, which makes it simpler. The newer models of these stoves are referred to as 'hybrid' or "compressed fuel multifuel stoves' and there are many names for them, including isobutane canister fuel white gas, kerosene, and unleaded car petrol/gasoline.

Another option is to purchase a multifuel stove kit that converts your regular Trangia burner into a multi fuel cooker. These are available in camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and can be bought internationally. They are a good option for Trangia fans. They're capable of burning all liquid fuels except diesel. If used with the correct accessories can even simmer.